Political Science

Social Sciences Division

Prepare to comprehend domestic and international political events by examining political theories and ideologies, international relations, American politics, international security, defense decision-making, and more.

About Us

The Department of Political Science is an integral part of the U..S. Air Force Academy’s core curriculum, developing and teaching courses in American and comparative government, international relations and American defense policy.

This department prepares cadets to comprehend the political events, both domestic and international, that will shape their careers. To do so, cadets examine political theories and ideologies, competitive politics, international relations, American politics, international security, defense decision-making, the politics of foreign governments, organizational behavior, and political economy.

Alumni from the Department of Political Science have gone on to become:
Rhodes Scholars	Special Assistants to the Secretary of Defense
White House Fellows	Special Assistants to the Secretary of Defense
Member of Congress	Secretary of the Air Force
National Security Advisor to the President	Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Commanders of combatant commands	University presidents
White House Fellows	Business leaders
Ambassadors

Political Science Faculty & Staff

Majors & Minors

Political Science (major)

Foreign Area Studies – Political Sciences Depth (co-administered major)

Social Science (co-administered major)*
*Restrictions apply

Department News News From Around The Department

October 15, 2020

Former NSA McMaster speaks to cadets at Academy Assembly

Story by Ray Bowden, photos by Trevor Cokley, Oct. 15, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster encouraged Air Force Academy cadets to set an example for bipartisanship during his keynote speech at the Academy Assembly Oct. 13. The retired Army lieutenant general was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs, serving on President Trump’s staff from Feb. 20, 2017 to March 15, 2018. McMaster’s hour-long speech, livestreamed from California and broadcast from Polaris Hall with a group of cadets, faculty and assembly delegates watching, mirrored the assembly’s theme: “National Security and...

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October 18, 2019

Cadets, experts discuss DoD’s role in modern conflict at Academy Assembly

Retired Marine Gen. John Allen (left), Col. Kris Bauman (middle), an assistant political science professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Cadet 1st Class Graham Kennis, share the stage in Arnold Hall during the annual Academy Assembly, Oct. 16, 2019. The annual assembly allows prominent academics, business leaders and other subject matter expert to the academy to discuss modern military issues with cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Janine Dreger, Oct. 18, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Heads spun at this week’s 61st Air Force Academy Assembly, an annual cadet-run conference that pits cadets and...

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April 22, 2019

Cultural Immersion Program trips make ‘the world a bit smaller’

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Brianna Murray (middle left) sits with Ugandans during a Cultural Information Program trip to East Africa during spring break, 2019. (Courtesy photo) By Jennifer Spradlin U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet 1st Class Brianna Murray came to the Air Force Academy looking for a chance to be part of something bigger than herself, and recently realized part of that goal with a Cultural Immersion Program trip to East Africa. Murray and three other cadets joined Dr. John Riley, an associate professor in political science, on a 10-day trip during spring break to Rwanda...

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